Navigating Innovation During Crisis

This chapter explores a crucial dialogue between technology leaders about the evolution of social media and the responsibilities that come with it, especially in the context of the COVID pandemic. It highlights the importance of mental flexibility, bold investment strategies, and the necessity for adaptive thinking in an ever-changing economic landscape.

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This Week in Startups is presented by:

LinkedIn Jobs. A business is only as strong as its people, and every hire matters. Go to LinkedIn.com/TWIST to post your first job for free. Terms and conditions apply.

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iConnections is a platform to connect and meet with elite capital allocators through their online platform and bespoke events. The first 25 VC funds to sign up for iConnections Miami 2024 event in January of next year will receive a 20% discount! Head to iConnections.io/twist to sign up today!

Today’s show:

First up, Jason does a full breakdown of what’s going on at Reddit, and why this is happening now (1:21). Then, Brad Gerstner joins to break down the state of the markets in 2023 (18:28), his “Time to Get Fit” letter to Meta (30:06), and more!

Brad’s fireside chat was recorded live at LAUNCH Angel Summit in Napa.

Follow Brad: https://twitter.com/altcap

Time stamps:

(0:00) Jason tees up today’s segments!

(1:21) Breaking down the Reddit situation: Why 2000’s-era web companies relied on third-party apps built on their API

(3:10) Origin and current state of the Reddit revolt, CEO Steve Huffman’s AMA and comments

(10:27) Jason’s hot takes on how to solve the third-party app API pricing issue, Reddit’s IPO price, and more

(17:00) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://linkedin.com/twist

(18:28) Brad Gerstner joins live from Angel Summit! Importance on non-consensus conviction, first-party research, how Brad first invested in Facebook

(29:00) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist

(30:06) Brad breaks down the greatness in Zuckerberg and Meta’s reaction to his “Time to Get Fit” letter

(34:08) Current state of the markets

(38:05) iConnections - Get 20% off iConnections Miami 2024 event at http://iconnections.io/twist

(39:48) Predicting what the AI innovation cycle will look like when compared to past cycles: pc, internet, mobile, cloud; why now is the most important time for AI investing

Read LAUNCH Fund 4 Deal Memo: https://www.launch.co/four

Apply for Funding: https://www.launch.co/apply

Buy ANGEL: https://www.angelthebook.com

Great recent interviews: Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland, PrayingForExits, Jenny Lefcourt

Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis

Follow Jason:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jason

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jason

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis

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